Rainbow Base is a Resource Provision, which provides support and education for 52 primary-aged children with a primary need in complex communication difficulty. The curriculum is designed and delivered by six lead teachers and a number of learning support assistants.

Rainbow Base consists of 6 class bases; Red, Purple, Yellow, Green, Orange and Blue. Each classroom environment is based on its pupil cohort, and is tailored to suit the learning needs of our pupils. Alongside our classroom spaces, we also have access to a Rebound Room, Sensory Room, Sensory Integration Room and outdoor learning space, which are used in conjunction with our pupil’s individualised targets.

In July 2024, we were privileged enough to be granted funding for a new sensory room provided by The Wooden Spoon Charity. We are so grateful for their generous funding which is already making such an impact on our pupils experiences at school.

We are also supported by an array of professionals, including our Speech and Language Therapist from Chatterbug and Specialist Occupational Therapist from Juniper Tree, who both work in Rainbow Base one day per week. All of our pupils also benefit from Richmond Hill’s position as an Opera North In Harmony school and take part in weekly sessions delivered by In Harmony.

Our pupils’ progress is assessed through the Connecting Steps framework. Our pupils are baselined upon starting at Richmond Hill Academy and are allocated an assessment pathway: Engagement or Progression Steps. Pupils who are working on Engagement Steps are learners who are not yet engaging in subject specific learning and their focus is on developing their communication, investigation, curiosity and persistence, amongst many other core skills. Our pupils who are allocated the Progression Steps framework are assessed on their progress within traditional subjects, such as English, Maths, Science and Foundation Subjects.

Throughout the school day, pupils are encouraged to access the mainstream learning environments, where appropriate. Formal academic inclusion, e.g. participating in mainstream lessons, is currently accessed by some pupils in Purple, Orange and Blue Base.